《How to Write Stories People Will Love》Question 54: Unexpected love
Advertisement
asks: How do I write an unexpected couple in a book? As in, the readers think she'll end up with the guy she initially likes, but she ends up falling in love with someone else?
Considering how popular it is for a main character to have two love interests, most readers can spot the outcome a mile away. Like with plot twists (See "Question 3: Plot Twists" for a refresher), you first have to lead the reader down a particular path. All the main character's attention is on the expected love interest. But in the background, the actual love interest will be quietly earning his place in her heart. They will have to be very subtle or hidden things, not grand gestures.
There should be a defining moment where she makes her decision. It can be a stressful event where each guy's true colors are shown. Or maybe she discovers all the hidden things that the unexpected guy has been doing. It can't be a flippant decision like choosing an ice cream flavor. She has to have a moment of clarity.
When she chooses the the unexpected person, there must be an explanation. Guide the reader through her reasoning, otherwise the readers are going to be scratching their heads and saying, "Why?? What just happened?" The character should make a mental tally of all the reasons this works better than a relationship with the other guy. Or why the other guy isn't right for her after all. Everything has to click into place. If there's still room for doubt, then the result won't feel very satisfying.
It has to make sense, or the reader isn't going to buy it.
Advertisement
- In Serial57 Chapters
The Prophecy of an Ancient Bloodline
The tale of a legendarily weak and ancient race, cursed by the gods, and barely surviving against all odds. Their numbers reduced to but a handful. Even so, all hope is not yet lost. Myths passed from generation to generation, the long-desired appointed time: the appearance of the chosen. Will they receive salvation? Release schedule: Not sure anymore. Note: After chapter 27 there are minor harem/romance elements. They don't last long either though. Cover art by Asviloka based on the previous cover from Gaetane Yvonnou This story is ONLY published on royalroad.com.
8 123 - In Serial15 Chapters
The Legend Of Drog
A student at a top grade university and son of an elite family, Yun Xia had it all. Friends, health, lover–you name it. Everything was going splendidly until his twenty-first birthday, where a gift from the sky landed on his head...in the form of a lethal brick that ended up killing him. The next thing he knew, he woke up in the body of a small child named Drog in a world he had never seen before. This is the story of how a legend was born.
8 187 - In Serial6 Chapters
Dragons Gate
"There's no way that I will let everyone die again!" This is the story of Arthur Falmas. One of the last one hundred people who survived the battle with Cryzsalis Mimon - The dragon who seeks to destroy the world. They tried to save what's left of the world by battling and defeating the evil dragon but they tragically failed, and as for the result - the world ended. Arthur thought he had met his demise, but to his surprise... he went back 18 years to the past when the world was still well and full of life. He still has three years to prepare before the apocalypse starts again. He needs to change the outcome of the future by gathering powerful comrades. He needs to save humanity this time.
8 139 - In Serial36 Chapters
The Path of a Sith
Ezra Bridger became the apprentice of Maul after The Ghost crew left him on Lothal for his own good. Maul introduces Ezra to The Dark side but The Dark side Can't corrupt him completely. Even though Ezra is learning the ways of the Dark Side, a part of him will still be light.
8 263 - In Serial16 Chapters
Punishments (Madara Uchiha)
Daddy Kink! Madara X Reader: This attractive raven haired Uchiha could be your father due to his age, but actually you are friends, friends with benefits. [Naruto| Modern AU]-I excuse typos and grammatical errors. I was like 15 years old??? And to that time my English was on par with a fetus tbfh. I am correcting some mistakes every now and then tho-
8 114 - In Serial6 Chapters
Left Broken
Addison Carter is a 23-year old working woman. She is a CEO of a huge advertising company as well as a single mother and she's proud of it. Her daughter Cassidy is the most precious thing in the world for her. But Addison is slowly mending herself from a past that had left her heartbroken. But when Landon Spencer, the famous actor and playboy comes to her company, all hell breaks lose. The past she had, comes crashing back to her and she fears her half mended heart will shatter once more. Read on to follow the crazy ride of Love, Family, Heartache and True Love.
8 64

